Specialized siding nail

ABSTRACT

An arrangement and method of securing siding to a building and a specialized nail for securing siding to a building are disclosed. The nail comprises first and second elongate shanks and a head connected with respect to the shanks and extending transversely thereto with an outer surface for contact with a hammer during installation of the nail. The method involves providing a first siding panel having an edge and a first slot spaced from the edge by a first distance, hammering the first shank into the building, the first shank positioned in the first slot, and hammering the second shank into the building, the second shank positioned outside of the first slot. The arrangement comprises such a panel fixed to a building with such a nail.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related generally to fasteners for securing siding to buildings and, more particularly, to such fasteners for use with a hammer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Metal and plastic siding are commonly used as an imitation and substitute for wooden lap siding. The metal and plastic siding provide the appearance of wood siding while generally having a longer life span and require less maintenance. Metal siding is typically formed of aluminum or steel while plastic siding is conventionally formed of extruded sections of thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride which is commonly referred to as vinyl siding. In both types of siding, the bottom margin of each panel is typically bent inwardly and then upwardly to form a longitudinal channel with an upstanding inner leg. The top portion of each panel is formed to provide an outwardly and downwardly projecting longitudinal lip corresponding to the channel running along the bottom of the panel positioned thereabove. A securement flange extends above the longitudinal lip of each panel. The panels are typically secured to a wall along their top portions utilizing fasteners driven through the securement flange extending along the top of each panel.

One problem common to both metal and vinyl siding is its tendency to expand and contract with changes in temperature. Because of this problem, it has been a practice to incorporate longitudinally extending slots along the securement flange through which fasteners may be driven. It is intended that the fasteners be driven into the slots a distance sufficient to support the siding but not far enough that fasteners engages the siding pressing it against the side of the building and preventing slidable movement of the siding along the fastener through expansion and contraction of the siding.

The fasteners typically provided to secure the siding to the building include nails and staples. While nails are easily used by an installer and can typically be positioned at an acceptable depth such that the panel is not engaged by the head of the nail and not prevented from expansion or contraction, they fail often fail to secure the siding over time. For instance, through expansion and contraction or other shifting the siding may move such that its slot becomes disengaged from the nail head.

Staples, on the other hand, cannot become disengaged simply by “falling out” of the slot like nails. However, staples require use of expensive machinery and can make installation difficult in certain difficult to reach areas. Furthermore, staplers typically drive the staples too deeply into the building such that the staples' middle portions engage the siding and prevent any shifting during installation (which may be necessary to properly align the siding panel) or during the lifetime of the siding due to expansion, contraction and other shifting. In addition, staples are difficult to remove when improperly installed and are difficult to install properly since it is often difficult to line up the staple with the slot without puncturing the siding panel. The narrow profile of staples can rip the siding (with such ripping being exacerbated by the tightness with which staples are normally installed.

Therefore, there exists a need for a method of securing siding to a building which provides for ease of installation and which prevents disengagement of the siding from the building. A specialized siding nail would be an important advance over the state of the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved fastener for securing siding to a building which overcomes some of the problems of the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a specialized nail for securing siding to a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a specialized nail which provides a head and two shanks which enclose a portion of siding against a building to fix the siding to a building.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for securing siding to a building.

Another object of the invention to provide a building siding arrangement preventing removal of a siding panel from a building without rupturing or tearing the panel or removing the nail.

Another object of the invention to provide a nail having first and second shanks and a head having sufficient area for contact with a hammer.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, the invention is an arrangement and method for securing siding to a building utilizing a specialized nail. The invention represents a significant advance over the state of the art by providing novel elements, including the specialized nail to fix a siding panel to a building.

In an embodiment of the method of securing siding to a building, the method comprises providing a first siding panel having an edge and a first slot spaced from the edge by a first distance, providing a first specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom, hammering the first shank into the building, the first shank positioned in the first slot, hammering the second shank into the building, the second shank positioned outside of the first slot such that the first siding panel is secured to the building and the nail and panel cannot be disengaged without removing at least one of the shanks from the building or rupturing the slot.

In this method, the second shank may be positioned outside the edge of the first siding panel or in a second slot spaced from the first slot by a second distance. The method may further comprise providing a second specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom, hammering the first shank of the second nail into the building, the first shank of the second nail positioned in the first slot, hammering the second shank of the second nail into the building, the second shank of the second nail positioned outside the edge of the first siding panel.

In some embodiments, the first shank is longer than the second shank and has a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion being positioned in the first slot and hammered into the building before the second shank is positioned outside of the first slot and hammered into the building. In such embodiments, the second shank may be hammered into the building at the same time the proximal portion is hammered into the building.

The invention can also be described as a building siding arrangement comprising a building, a first siding panel having an edge and a first slot spaced from the edge by a first distance, the panel adjacent the building, and a first specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom, the first shank extending into the building and positioned in the first slot and the second shank extending into the building and positioned outside of the first slot such that a portion of the first siding panel is completely surrounded by the building, head, and shanks and cannot be disengaged without removing at least one of the shanks from the building or rupturing the slot. The head of the specialized nail may be substantially circular and may have a diameter of about ½ inches. Alternatively, the head of the specialized nail may be substantially oval and define a major axis and a minor axis with the major axis being about ½ inches long. In certain embodiments, the first shank extends more deeply into the building than the second shank.

The invention may also be described as a nail for use with siding panels and the like, the nail comprising a first elongate shank having distal and proximal ends separated by a first length, the first shank defining a first axis, a second elongate shank having distal and proximal ends separated by a second length, the second shank defining a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis, and a head connected with respect to the first and second proximal ends, the head extending transversely to the first and second axes and defining inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface for contact with a hammer during installation of the nail.

In some embodiments, the head is perpendicular to the first and second axes. The head may be substantially circular and may have a diameter of about ½ inches. Alternatively, the head may be substantially oval-shaped and may define a major axis and a minor axis with the major axis being about ½ inch long. In any case, the head preferably has a length and width which are greater than the thicknesses of the shanks and provides an area providing for impact with a hammer. Each of the head's length and width are preferably at least double the thicknesses of the shanks and, more preferably, are four times greater than the thicknesses of the shanks.

In certain embodiments, the first shank is longer than the second shank. The first length may be between about 1½ inches and 1¾ inches and the second length may be between about ½ inch and 1 inch. Such a design may allow the first shank to be partially driven into the building before the second shank is aligned and driven into the building. The first shank and the second shank preferably each have a thickness of about 3/32 inches and are preferably separated by about 5/16 inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view taken from beyond the distal end of one embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view taken from beyond the distal end of another embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of one embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view taken from beyond the distal end of one embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view taken from beyond the distal end of another embodiment of the specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a siding panel in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a siding panel fixed to a building with a specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a siding panel fixed to a building with a specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a siding panel fixed to a building with a specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of a siding panel fixed to a building with a specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a siding panel fixed to a building with a specialized nail in accordance with the principles of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the specialized nail 10 in which the first shank 30 is longer than the second shank 40. Nail 10 includes a head 20 having a shape defined by circumference 22. Head includes an outer surface 23 and an inner surface 24 from which the shanks 30,40 extend. Head 20 is preferably galvanized steel or the like.

First shank 30 extends from proximal end 32 to distal end 31 and defines a first axis 33 which is preferably perpendicular to the plane defined by head 20. First shank 30 preferably has a circular or near-circular circumference. First shank 30 includes a distal portion 34 which extends beyond the length of second shank 40. Proximal portion 35 of first shank 30 connects to head 20. The tip 36 of first shank 30 is preferably pointed to facilitate penetration of a building and may have flat sides such as a four-sided pyramid. First shank 30 is preferably galvanized steel or the like and is integral with head 20.

Second shank 40 extends from proximal end 42 to distal end 41 and defines a second axis 43 which is preferably perpendicular to the plane defined by head 20 and parallel to the first axis 33. Second shank 40 preferably has a circular or near-circular circumference. The tip 46 of second shank 40 is preferably pointed to facilitate penetration of a building and may have flat sides such as a four-sided pyramid. Second shank 40 is preferably galvanized steel or the like and is integral with head 20 and first shank 30.

As shown in FIG. 2, head 20 may have a circular shape bounded by circumference 22. FIG. 3 shows head 20 having a substantially oval shape defined by major axis 25 and minor axis 26. In either case, shanks 30,40 extend from inner surface 24 from opposite sides of circumference 22.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of nail 10 in which first shank 20 and second shank 30 are further connected by a web portion 12 which extends out from inner surface 24 of head 20. Web portion 12 may provide additional structural support to shanks 30,40 and is preferably integral with head 20, first shank 30, and second shank 40. Each of shanks 30,40 includes annular grooves 37,47 to increase the friction between the shanks 30,40 and building 60 after shanks 30,40 are driven into building 60. Such grooves 37,47 thus more strongly secure siding panels 52 to building 60. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a head 20 with a web portion 12 in conjunction with circular or oval shaped heads 20. In FIG. 5, shanks 30,40 are positioned very close to circumference 22. In FIG. 6, shanks abut circumference 22. Such configurations may be preferred in some situations.

In one preferred embodiment, head 20 has a diameter of at least about ½ inch (whether circular or oval) and a thickness of about 1/64 inch, first shank 30 has a length of between about 1½ and 1¾ inches, second shank 40 has a length of between about ½ inch and 1 inch, first and second shanks 30,40 have thicknesses of about 3/32 inch, and first and second shanks 30,40 are separated by about 5/16 inches.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a siding panel 52 of siding 50. Panel 52 is bounded by edge 54 and includes a first slot 56 spaced from edge 54 by a first distance and a second slot 58 spaced from first slot 56 by a second distance. The first and second distances are preferably equal. Panel 52 extends downwardly from edge 54 and may include a variety of shapes depending on the style of panel. Typically, the bottom portion of such panel 52 covers the top portion of a panel positioned below.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of siding panel 52 fixed to a building 60 with a specialized nail 10. As shown, first shank 30 of nail 10 extends through first slot 56 into building 60. Second shank 40 of nail 10 is positioned outside of first slot 56, specifically extending through second slot 58 into building 60. Shanks 30,40 preferably have a thickness which is slightly less than the width (distance across slot perpendicular to edge 54) of slots 56,58 to allow for slight vertical shifting (when oriented as in FIG. 8) of panel 52 to facilitate installation of siding 50. Nail 10 bounds portion 53 of siding panel 52 to prevent panel 52 from being disengaged from building 60 without removing nail 10 or rupturing portion 53.

FIG. 9 is another cross sectional view of siding panel 52 fixed to a building 60 with a specialized nail 10. As shown, first shank 30 of nail 10 extends through first slot 56 into building 60. Second shank 40 of nail 10 is positioned outside of first slot 56, specifically being positioned beyond edge 54 and extending into building 60 without passing through any slot. Shank 30 preferably has a thickness which is slightly less than the width (distance across slot perpendicular to edge 54) of slot 56 to allow for slight vertical shifting (when oriented as in FIG. 9) of panel 52 to facilitate installation of siding 50. Nail 10 bounds portion 53 of siding panel 52 to prevent panel 52 from being disengaged from building 60 without removing nail 10 or rupturing portion 53. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, first shank 30 may be longer than or shorter than second shank 40.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a siding panel 52 fixed to building 60 with a specialized nail 10. Panel 52 includes a pair of first slots 56 spaced apart from a pair of second slots 58. A pair of nails 10 having heads 20 with substantially circular circumferences 22 fix panel 50 to building 60. In each case, first shank 30 is positioned in first slot 56 and second shank 40 is positioned in second slot 58.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of similar siding panel 52 fixed to building 60 with a specialized nail 10. As in FIG. 10, a pair of nails 10 having heads 20 with substantially circular circumferences 22 fix panel fix panel 50 to building 60. However, the nail 10 on the right side of FIG. 11 has its second shank 40 positioned beyond the edge 54 of panel 50 rather than in second slot 58. In fact, in such an arrangement it is not necessary that panel 50 include a second slot 58. As shown, the space between edge 54 and first slot is substantially equal to the space between first slot 54 and second slot 56.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another siding panel 52 fixed to building 60 with a specialized nail 10. FIG. 12 depicts use of nails 10 having oval-shaped circumferences 22. In this case, each nail 10 fastens panel 52 to building 60 with first shank 30 positioned in first slot 56 and second shank 40 positioned beyond or outside of the periphery or edge 54 of panel 52. Again, in such an arrangement, second slot 58 is optionally provided in panel 52.

Allowing the positioning of nails 10 with second shanks 40 either in second slot 58 or outside of edge 54 provides flexibility to a panel installer and allows each shank 30,40 to be positioned in a stud in building 60. It also facilitates installation in difficult to reach areas.

Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a specialized nail and method for installing siding that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method of securing siding to a building, the method comprising: providing a first siding panel having an edge and a first slot spaced from the edge by a first distance; providing a first specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom; hammering the first shank into the building, the first shank positioned in the first slot; and hammering the second shank into the building, the second shank positioned outside of the first slot such that the first siding panel is secured to the building and the nail and panel cannot be disengaged without removing at least one of the shanks from the building or rupturing the slot.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the second shank is positioned outside the edge of the first siding panel.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first siding panel includes a second slot spaced from the first slot by a second distance, the second shank being positioned in the second slot.
 4. The method of claim 3 further comprising providing a second specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom; hammering the first shank of the second nail into the building, the first shank of the second nail positioned in the first slot; and hammering the second shank of the second nail into the building, the second shank of the second nail positioned outside the edge of the first siding panel.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first shank is longer than the second shank and has a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion being positioned in the first slot and hammered into the building before the second shank is positioned outside of the first slot and hammered into the building.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second shank is hammered into the building at the same time the proximal portion is hammered into the building.
 7. A building siding arrangement comprising: a building; a first siding panel having an edge and a first slot spaced from the edge by a first distance, the panel adjacent the building; and a first specialized nail having a head and first and second elongate shanks extending therefrom, the first shank extending into the building and positioned in the first slot and the second shank extending into the building and positioned outside of the first slot such that a portion of the first siding panel is completely surrounded by the building, head, and shanks and cannot be disengaged without removing at least one of the shanks from the building or rupturing the slot.
 8. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein the head is substantially circular and has a diameter of about ½ inches.
 9. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein the head is substantially oval defining a major axis being about ½ inches long.
 10. The arrangement of claim 7 wherein the first shank extends more deeply into the building than the second shank.
 11. A nail for use with siding panels and the like, the nail comprising: a first elongate shank having distal and proximal ends separated by a first length, the first shank defining a first axis; a second elongate shank having distal and proximal ends separated by a second length, the second shank defining a second axis substantially parallel to the first axis; and a head connected with respect to the first and second proximal ends, the head extending transversely to the first and second axes and defining inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface for contact with a hammer during installation of the nail.
 12. The nail of claim 11 wherein the inner surface of the head is perpendicular to the first and second axes.
 13. The nail of claim 11 wherein the head is substantially circular.
 14. The nail of claim 13 wherein the head has a diameter of about ½ inch.
 15. The nail of claim 11 wherein the head is substantially oval-shaped and defines a major axis.
 16. The nail of claim 15 wherein the head is about ½ inch long along the major axis.
 17. The nail of claim 11 wherein the first length is longer than the second length.
 18. The nail of claim 17 wherein the first length is between about 1½ inches and 1¾ inches and the second length is between about ½ inch and 1 inch.
 19. The nail of claim 18 wherein the first shank and the second shank each have a thickness of about 3/32 inches.
 20. The nail of claim 19 wherein the first shank and the second shank are separated by about 5/16 inches. 